The newly-crowned Miss Palawan 2018 will have her hands full in the next 12 months, particularly in promoting women empowerment.
The 19-year-old Sarah Maxine Barber from Palawan State University will advocate a number of issues the primary of which is on protecting women’s rights and well-being.
“I feel so blessed and overwhelmed,” Barber said after getting the crown and 10 awards.
She initally doubted, she told the media, if she can make it, but since the event was all about empowering women, she then took it positively and applied it to herself.
“Sabi ko noong una parang ayaw ko pong sumali. So yun po nag try ako, I do my best, I train a lot, physically, mentally, at di ko inexpect na makuha ko ang title,” Barber said adding, “[Being] the first ever Miss Palawan 2018 is a legacy.”
Founder and CEO Bong Villanueva of Miss Palawan Charities said that through this event they could help beauty queens in Palawan.
“Mayroon kaming charity at ito ay para matulungan namin [ang mga beauty queens], masuportahan from national to international competition,” Mr. Villanueva said.
The charity, which was set-up recently will dedicate not only in empowering every woman, but preventing them to become single moms.
“This charity does not only focus in supporting single mothers, but also empowering every woman to prevent becoming single mother,” said Maruj Encoy, co-producer of the Miss Palawan 2018 and one of the board of directors of Miss Palawan Charities.
Miss Palawan North 2018 is Anne Remojo Apas from Holy Trinity University, while the Miss Palawan South 2018 is Maria Veronica Sinajon from Brookes Point.
“I will pursue the advocacy of Miss Palawan Charities, which is to empower women and my focus will be the municipalities in the northern part of Palawan. So I will be empowering women there most especially the target is the single mothers, lalo na yung walang trabaho, hopefully we could give them jobs,” said Ms. Apas.
“Wala talaga akong confidence, pero na enhance yun ng mga taong supportive sa akin especially sa mga parents ko at sa bayan ng Brooke’s Point,” Ms. Sanajaon said.
“Dahil sa mga kababaihan na alam natin na minsan na aabuso tayo, hindi natin nabigyan ng halaga [ang mga sarili natin], or minsan hindi alam ng babae yung tamang kakayanan niya,” said Ms. Sinajon, referring to women that it is high time to empower them and to know their strength and capabilities.
The event was hosted by Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehman and Mr. Ralph Pulanco, a faculty member of Palawan State University.
Special guests in the event included the on-screen and real-life partners Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, who entertained their fans with songs, turning the City Coliseum into a mad crowd.